Hawk Studios

Stardate 2015.350.1

No Machine, No Problem!

Taking my sewing machine in for service is no easy task.  Not because it’s difficult to get to the service shop, but more so because I’ll be without my machine and its services for longer than any quilter wants to be without their machine.  But, into the shop it had to go.   Luckily, I always keep some handwork to do.

I picked up an applique quilt I’ve been working on for some time.  I’ve managed to get five blocks done and then stalled out pretty significantly on it (It takes 12 blocks...).  Without my machine, I decided the universe was telling me to get started on another block. 

A couple of finished blocks, including an original flower design (the purple flower).

Applique is slow-going for me as I do the old-fashioned needle-turned applique, but I do love the results!  I find the hardest thing to do in the applique realm is to either turn really sharp points (points like an arrow head) or turning in very sharp points (points like a “V” shape) without the fabric fraying. So, those types of designs always frustrate me and I tend to steer clear of them.  But, for some reason, I dove right in on this one.  Perhaps I just needed a challenge, or perhaps I just didn’t want to “not quilt” for a few weeks while my machine was out for service.  Or, my third option might just be that the red in the quilt felt “holiday-ish” and so it just helped to bring the spirit of the season out. Plus, it's just a cheerful quilt pattern. Regardless of the reason, I’m now trying to get another block finished before I veer off onto another project.

Close up of one of the finished blocks.  I love the flowers in these blocks as they are very playful.

I spotted these blocks in a quilt store in Utah, while traveling there for work, several years ago.  Now, you have to understand that red is not a favorite color of mine; in fact it can wear me out while working with it a lot.  I think it’s just the shear intensity of the color sometimes.  But, when I saw the blocks, I was smitten by them, and, too, knowing what I know about me and the color red, I thought the quilt would be a good challenge for me – force me into that realm of being “uncomfortable” so that I would explore something different.   After all, I probably never would have tried making a quilt with red as the predominate color…

The pattern is from Piece O’Cake quilts and it’s called “Aunt Millie’s Garden”.   I started out buying the “block of the month” fabrics, but then quickly transitioned to my own because I thought the colors I was getting were too muted for the pattern.  So, off on my own I went.

Here's the pattern.
I've seen others complete the quilt - some on a black background, and its very striking.

Because I’m not great at needle-turned applique, I bought the video from Piece O’ Cake Quilts on needle-turned applique.  I’d had a class at a local quilt shop many moons ago, and thought a refresher couldn’t hurt, and I’d probably learn something – maybe a different technique – from the newer video.  The video was very helpful and gave me several new techniques to use one which includes using a wet toothpick to turn some of the sharp points. I’m learning to  tackle those pesky points and do a little better each time I navigate one. 

So, here is Block #6 in the works.

For Block #6, I'm using lines of fabric mainly from Joel Dewberry (mainly Notting Hill)
and a couple fabrics from Pat Bravo. Different, but I think it'll work... 

Having a lot of time between the first five blocks and this one, I realized I’ve chosen very different fabrics than the previous blocks for Block #6, but with the overall design of the quilt, I think it’ll work out okay. I’m plugging along on it but am a bit baffled on what color to make the stems and leaves.  It’ll come…inspiration usually does.  Sometimes it’s in the form of others’ observations…

I’d challenge you to think about what colors, or what patterns are outside your comfort zone, and try to take on that “unfamiliar” path.  You might just open up a new world of creativity for yourself.  I’m going to keep on this red quilt.  It may take me several years to complete (because I’m slow at applique), but I will get it finished.  Have fun with what you decide to tackle outside your comfort zone.  I hope you discover something fantastic!!